The NDA Government plans to showcase its flagship programmes in a big way in order to attract investment from NRIs and PIOs at the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) from January 7-9 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
According to Sushma Swaraj, Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, the Ministries will give presentations on the Government’s initiatives on Make in India, Namami Gange, Swachchh Bharat, skill development, urban planning and smart cities seeking participation and investment from Indian diaspora.
Besides these, the Government has special plans to commemorate 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. The day for the last 13 years is celebrated as the PBD. But this time special functions showcasing Gandhi’s life journey are lined up in Gandhinagar. About 3,000 delegates from across the world are likely to participate in the event.
The annual PBD oration on Relevance of Gandhian Philosophy over the Century will be delivered by US-based academician Professor Anand Sharma while from Indian side Rajmohan Gandhi is also expected to speak. Guyana’s President Sir Donald Ramotar will be the chief guest of the event in which Foreign Minister of South Africa is also likely to come.
The PBD will have a special session dedicated to the problems of NRIs living in Gulf countries. The Indian ambassadors in these countries have been asked to be present during this session to take note of the issues flagged by the Indian diaspora. This apart, sessions will be held for Francophone diaspora, those who speak French, and `Girmitiya’ nations having huge Indian indentured immigrant population and for organisations of Indian diaspora abroad.
The themes of plenary sessions include ‘Bharat ko Jano’ - Indian Diaspora Youth-linkage with Traditions, Culture and Philosophy, and ‘Bharat ko Mano’ - Innovations in Modern India and Gandhian Thought in Context of the 21st century. There will be a separate session on ‘Soft Power in India’s Global Engagement’ and another with ‘Achievers of Indian Diaspora’. In a unique initiative, the diaspora youth will be engaged in interactive sessions with students of four educational institutions in Gujarat.
The Chief Ministers of 10 States —Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra will also participate in the event seeking investments. Gujarat Government has also planned special functions in Gandhinagar.